Birch Hill Dam - Public Access Lands on Waymarking.com

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes you to Birch Hill Dam located on the scenic Millers River in South Royalston, Massachusetts. The park offers over 4,500 acres of public land for a multitude of recreational activities. Hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, swimming and spring whitewater releases for kayaking are among the popular activities.

During the solitude of winter, visitors can enjoy cross country skiing, ice fishing, snow shoeing, and dog sledding.

Bird watching enthusiasts will find seasonal migrants and territorial residents year round.

Photo of several horseback riders enjoying a beautiful day of trail riding out in the Birch Hill Dam Reservoir Area.

For the camping enthusiasts, two campgrounds, Lake Dennison (150 sites) and Otter River State Forest (100 sites) Campgrounds, are located on or adjacent to Corps property. These campgrounds are both operated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Contact the campground offices; Lake Dennison 978/297-1609, (during camping season only,) or Otter River State Forest 978/939-8962 for more information, or visit the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation web site.

Hunting and fishing are permitted in accordance with Massachusetts laws and regulations. Hunters have more than 8,000 acres of combined federal and state land on which to hunt stocked pheasant and native ruffed grouse, ducks, turkey, and white tail deer.

Photo of two fishermen in a row boat at Beaver Pond.Anglers will enjoy the challenges of fishing for the stocked and native species of fish that abound in the Millers River and Lake Dennison, as well as the many smaller brooks and ponds that speckle the area. For more information on hunting or fishing, you can contact the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife


Rte. 2 to exit 19, (Rte.2A/202.) Turn left off the exit, onto Rte.2A/202. Now take your first right onto Royalston Road. You will travel on Royalston Road for 4.3 miles at which point the road will end, turn left and travel 1 tenth of a mile. Turn right onto Birch Hill Dam Road. It is after the railroad tracks but before the bridge. Birch Hill Dam Road is actually the driveway for Birch Hill Dam.

(From (visit link)

Estimated size of the public land (in regional measurement standard: hectares, acres, kms, etc.): Over 4500 acres. Is there a trail system?: Yes If there is a trail system, please describe length, terrain, etc.: Varies What points of interest are there?: Rivers, Lakes, Streams, Trails. What activities are available?: Hiking, fishing, camping, canoeing, swimming, whitewater rafting, cross country skiing, ice fishing, snow shoeing, dog sledding, bird watching, hunting. Camping available through Lake Dennison and Otter River State Forest. Hours of accessibility?: Birch Hill Dam is normally open between the hours of 7:00AM and 3:30PM, Monday through Friday. But you can walk to the dam from the gate during the day. List of known hazards (cliffs, snakes, poison plants, etc.): Poisonous plants (poison ivy) Dogs Allowed?: Yes Is a permit/fee required?: No Please supply the website of the land if available: [Web Link] If a permit/fee is required please describe in detail how to get one, how much, etc.: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Visitors are encouraged to supply a picture of either themselves or their GPS at the trailhead and/or signage of the public access lands - describe your experience there and what you saw - tell us why other folks should come visit!

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   07/01/2012 Freddie's Pack visited it